A/N: LAST CHAPTER

Teyla jolted awake, sitting up instantly, screaming John's name. Instantly Aiden's hand came to her shoulder, drawing her gaze to him. "It's okay." He said, gentle pushing her back down onto the bed.

The infirmary was dark and quiet. Rodney was asleep in one of the bed across from the Teyla's. Aiden sat in the chair next to her bed. He looked tired but he was awake.

"Are you alright?"

Teyla turned away, not meeting his gaze. She couldn't, it hurt too much.

He took her hand in his. "Teyla, I can't help you if you don't let me."

Teyla still refused to turn towards him, silent sobs shook her body as she suppressed the inner pain that tormented her. She wasn't deserving of friends like Aiden.

"Talk to me Teyla." Aiden said, pleading with her.

Teyla finally turned back towards him, he face wet with tears. Her eyes held a thousand emotions. "I've failed John." She croaked.

"What do you mean?" Aiden said, not understanding.

"How can I honor his memory if..." Teyla couldn't finish, fresh tears streaming down her face. "... if I cannot learn to live without him."

He took a Kleenex from the from the box next to the bed and wiped away some of the tears on her face. "I honestly don't know how to respond." Aiden replied, shaking his head.

Rodney stirred, then sat up. "What time is it?" He shook his head, seeing that Teyla was awake. He walked over to her bed, sitting down next to Aiden.

"You are fortunate." Teyla croaked, sniffling from crying.

"Do you think this is easy for me?" Rodney said, harsher than he should have. "I just lost the only person who's ever had any confidence in me!" Rodney's emotional barricade collapsed and the first tear streamed down his face.

Something in that tear hit home for Teyla. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I have been selfish."
"No you haven't." Aiden replied.

"Yes I have." She moaned.

"Don't be ridiculous." Rodney quipped. "His death hurt us all, but the point is we can get past it, for John's sake.

Teyla nodded. "It does not make the pain go away.

"Nothing ever will." Aiden said quietly.

Fot the first time in days, Teyla smiled. She was glad she had friends like Aiden and Rodney, together, they could get through this.

XXX

Teyla shifted uncomfortably in her bed. She had been sleeping, but not soundly. Some progress had been made against the pain. It no longer numbed her to the point in which she couldn't feel anything, but it still hurt.

She glanced around her darkened room and could've sworn she saw someone. Her mind instantly became alert. She stood up slowly and began walking towards her bathroom.

She had gone two steps when she finally saw who it was. Standing there, in a blue dress shirt, rolled up sleeves, and khaki pants was John Sheppard. Her heart seemed to stop. Even time seemed to stop.

She stood in stunned silence, her knees buckling. She didn't know if she was dreaming or not. She didn't care if it was a dream. If it didn't involve watching him die, she would gladly live it.

Finally, her knees did give way. His hands shot out and held her up, pulling her into his arms. The tears fell, but for the first time since he had died, they were tears of happiness.

"How?" She asked after several minutes of just making sure he was there.

He regarded her with an unreadable expression. "I'm different now." He said softly.

She glanced into his eyes, there was something different about his expression. He seemed older. "Then you truly are dead." For some reason it didn't bother her anymore.

"No." He responded quickly. "I ascended."

"Then you are like the ancestors?"

"More or less. I haven't left your side since I became what I am."

"But how?" Teyla couldn't understand.
"Remember Chaya? She is the one who helped me to ascend.

Teyla's vision narrowed, remembering the ancient that had taken John's heart away from her, forcing her to realize just how much she had fallen for him.

"My own stubbornness." He smirked. "I just felt something was left undone. Then I realized that I was dead, and that I wasn't coming back."

"But you are back." Teyla protested.

"I can't stay." John's voice was sad. "Believe me, I want to."

"Then kiss me, once last time." Teyla pleaded, not wanting to let go.

John smirked. "I can go one better." His body seemed to shimmer and turn into a brilliant white light. Awareness blossomed in Teyla as his mind and essence poured into her and she into him.

It was a more loving embrace then she could ever hope for. In that moment, time did stop and all that mattered was that she could finally share everything she felt for John Sheppard.

He reformed after what seemed like an eternity. "I have to go." He said, motioning towards the balcony.

Teyla threw her arms around him one last time. "One day I will join you." She said. "Until that day, know that I will always love you."
"I know, and you know I feel the same way." He shook his head. "I doubt I'll ever be able to talk to you again."

"At least we were able to say goodbye." Teyla replied.

"Yeah. I love you Teyla." He disappeared in a glowing light and flew out the window.

Teyla walked out to the balcony. "Wherever you go John Sheppard, I will always love you." She said. A gentle wind blew threw her hair. She knew it was John. He truly was always with her. Someday, they'd be together again.

A/N: Hope I brought some tears to your eyes, I'm planning on writing a final chapter Life and Rebirth eventually, but I'm not sure when I'll get to it.

-Cpt. Ritter